The Return of Usagi Yojimbo

While spring showers usually bring May flowers, they will bring something far more exciting this year: the triumphant return of Stan Sakai and his beloved rabbit ronin in Usagi Yojimbo #145!

For the first time since February 2012, Usagi is back in his ongoing series, and there’s no stopping his adventures. Kicking off with a new story in Usagi Yojimbo #145, the series continues as Usagi finds himself caught up in a fight between his thief friend Kitsune and a ninja intent on getting the mysterious scroll Kitsune’s stolen, at any cost!

One of NPR’s best books of 2014, the long-running series by Stan Sakai has garnered a vast amount of critical acclaim, and the return of the Usagi Yojimbo ongoing series heralds the fantastic next chapter in Sakai’s incredible saga.

Usagi Yojimbo #145


Stan Sakai (W/A)
b&w,

24 pages


$3.50

Stan Sakai's Usagi Yojimbo Returns for New Series from Dark Horse

With more than two hundred issues and counting, Stan Sakai’s Usagi Yojimbo is among comics’ most monumental achievements. In celebration of thirty years of the marvelous samurai rabbit saga, Usagi Yojimbo is set to return in an all-new six-issue miniseries, Usagi Yojimbo: Senso, followed by the debut of the Usagi Yojimbo Saga collection!

Twenty years in his future, Miyamoto Usagi fights as a general for Lord Noriyuki, against the treacherous Lord Hikiji. In the fury of the final battle, a metal rocket crashes to earth—and inside is an enemy that neither side could have ever imagined! Witness the final fates of your favorite Usagi characters, in this all-new samurai epic with a startling science fiction twist!

Usagi Yojimbo: Senso #1 is on sale in comic shops everywhere August 6! 

To celebrate the rabbit ronin’s thirtieth anniversary, Dark Horse proudly presents Miyamoto Usagi’s epic trek along the warrior’s path in a new series of deluxe compilations: The Usagi Yojimbo Saga.

In the first volume, Usagi protects a village from a band of assassins, reluctantly engages in a duel for blood money, hunts a gangster who has stolen his swords, and more.

Collecting Usagi Yojimbo Vol. 2 #1–#16 and Vol. 3 #1–#6, and featuring over six hundred pages of samurai action and adventure, The Usagi Yojimbo Saga is the ultimate introduction to Sakai’s enduring samurai masterpiece!

The Usagi Yojimbo Saga Volume 1 will be available in both limited hardcover and softcover omnibus editions in comic shops on October 15!

Dark Horse Comics Announces The Sakai Project: Celebrating 30 Years of Usagi Yojimbo

 The most amazing artists in the world have come together to celebrate thirty years of Stan Sakai’s marvelous samurai rabbit saga, Usagi Yojimbo, in a new oversized hardcover benefit book: The Sakai Project: Artists Celebrate Thirty Years of “Usagi Yojimbo”!

“It has been an absolute pleasure publishing Stan’s work over the years, and recently collaborating with him directly on 47 Ronin,” said Dark Horse’s president and founder, Mike Richardson. “With the thirtieth anniversary of his most beloved creation, Usagi, and in a time of need for Stan and his family, we are honored to publish this tribute to Stan and his work. We are donating all of the proceeds to Stan and his wife, Sharon. We hope you will join us in honoring one of the comics industry’s shining lights.”

The participating artists bring their own interpretations and their own styles to the subject, making this book a one-of-a-kind treasure.

The Sakai Project is produced in association with the Comic Art Professional Society (CAPS). All proceeds from this book will go to Stan and Sharon Sakai.

ADAM HUGHES | ALAIN MAURICET | ALEX MALEEV | ALLISON SOHN | ANDY GRENEN | ARTHUR ADAMS | BATTON LASH | BILL MORRISON | BRIAN CHING & MICHAEL ATIYEH | BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS | CARLOS D’ANDA & GABE ELTAEB | CHRIS SCALF | DAN PANOSIAN | DAVE GIBBONS | DAVID MACK | DOUG WHEATLEY | EDGAR DELGADO | ERIC POWELL | GABRIEL HARDMAN | GEOF DARROW | HOWARD CHAYKIN | JAN DUURSEMA | JEFF SMITH | JOYCE CHIN | MARK CRILLEY | MATT GROENING | MATT WAGNER | MICHAEL ALLRED | MICHAEL AVON OEMING | MICHAEL GOLDEN | MIKE KUNKEL | MIKE MIGNOLA | OSCAR MARTIN | PAUL GULACY | PAUL RENAUD | PHIL YEH | RICHARD CORBEN | SCOTT SHAW | SERGIO ARAGONÉS | STEPHANIE GLADDEN | TIM SALE | TOM MANDRAKE | TOM RICHMOND | WALTER SIMONSON | WILLIAM STOUT | & MORE!

The Sakai Project will be released on July 23. Pre-order with your local comics retailer.

Dark Horse Comics Schedule for WonderCon Anaheim 2013

Dark Horse Comics is headed to California's must-attend event on the comic book convention schedule – WonderCon Anaheim!

Join us for signings at booth #819!  Free comics and/or prints with each signing while supplies last.

Tickets for signings at the Dark Horse booth will be distributed from the opening of WonderCon on Friday, March 29. Please note that lines may be capped or tickets issued for any signing as needed. Inquire about your favorite signings as early as possible. Some restrictions apply. All events are subject to change.

Comics, books, and collectibles will be available for purchase from Dark Horse or your favorite retailer.

DARK HORSE SIGNINGS

FRIDAY, MARCH 29

12:00 p.m. BEANWORLD signing with creator Larry Marder

-Free Beanworld action figures and sketch cards

2:00 p.m. CAPTAIN MIDNIGHT signing with writer Josh Williamson

-Free 11” x 17” print featuring art by Felipe Massafera

3:00 p.m. AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER signing with writer Gene Yang

-Free 5.5” x 8.5” print featuring art by Gurihiru

TICKETED EVENT

5:00 p.m. STAR WARS: DAWN OF THE JEDI signing with inker Dan Parsons

-Free Dawn of the Jedi #1 while supplies last

6:00 p.m. USAGI YOJIMBO/47 RONIN signing with creator Stan Sakai

-Free 47 Ronin #1

Check out the Usagi Yojimbo: Way of the Ronin iOS game

SATURDAY, MARCH 30

10:00 a.m. HUSBANDS signing with cocreators Jane Espenson and Brad Bell

-Free 5.5” x 8.5” print featuring art by Ron Chan

11:00 a.m. NUMBER 13 signing with artist/writer Robert Love and writer David Walker

-Free Number 13 comic

12:00 p.m. AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER signing with writer Gene Yang

-Free 5.5” x 8.5” print featuring art by Gurihiru

TICKETED EVENT

1:00 p.m. X signing with artist Eric Nguyen

-Free 11” x 17” print featuring art by Eric Nguyen

2:00 p.m. BUFFYVERSE signing with artist Georges Jeanty, writer Andrew Chambliss (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), and writer Christos Gage (Angel & Faith)

-Free Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 9 and Angel & Faith comics, Angel and Spike buttons, and Whedonverse wristbands

3:00 p.m. STAR WARS signing with artist Carlos D’Anda and colorist Gabe Eltaeb

-Free 5.5” x 8.5” print featuring a dramatic panel by Carlos D’Anda and Gabe Eltaeb from the upcoming Star Wars #4 issue

TICKETED EVENT

4:00 p.m. THE TRUE LIVES OF THE FABULOUS KILLJOYS signing with creator Gerard Way

-Free 5.5” x 8.5” print featuring art by Becky Cloonan

TICKETED EVENT

SUNDAY, MARCH 31

10:00 a.m. THE ART OF REMEMBER ME signing with DONTNOD art director Aleksi Briclot, DONTNOD creative director Jean-Max Moris, and Capcom producer Mat Hart

-Free 11” x 17” The Art of Remember Me print

11:00 a.m. MIND MGMT signing with creator Matt Kindt

-Free 11” x 17” MIND MGMT print

12:00 p.m. STAR WARS: DARK TIMES signing with writer Randy Stradley

-Free Star Wars: Dark Times—Fire Carrier #1

1:00 p.m. THE LAST OF US signing with Naughty Dog creative director Neil Druckmann

-Free 11” x 17” print featuring art by Julián Totino Tedesco from the upcoming comic The Last of Us: American Dreams

3:30 p.m. STAR WARS: LEGACY VOLUME II signing with writer/artist Gabriel Hardman and writer Corinna Bechko

TICKETED EVENT * Limit five comics per person

DARK HORSE PANELS 

FRIDAY, MARCH 29

12:30 p.m.–1:30 p.m. Avatar: The Search for Zuko’s Mom, Room 208AB

1:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m. Geek & Sundry Panel of Awesome, Room 300DE

  

SATURDAY, MARCH 30

1:30 p.m.–3:00 p.m. Comics Arts Conference Session: Focus on Matt Kindt, Room 210BCD

2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m. The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys: From Comic to Music and Back Again! Room 300AB

6:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. Buffy Season 9: The Final Arc! Room 207BCD

SUNDAY, MARCH 31

1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. – Spotlight on Jane Espenson with Brad Bell, Room 207

2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m. Star Wars Comics in 2013! Room 207 BCD

Usagi Yojimbo Game Created by Dark Horse and HappyGiant

HappyGiant, in association with Dark Horse Comics, announce “Usagi Yojimbo: Way of The Ronin”, a game now available for iPhones & iPads, and coming soon to Android devices and desktop PC’s (www.usagiyojimbogame.com).

In conjunction with the release of the game, Dark Horse Comics is announcing the first new Usagi Yojimbocollection after a year hiatus working on 47 Ronin. The first new book will be Usagi Yojimbo: A Town Called Hell, which will see release on July 17.

Usagi Yojimbo is the beloved character and world created by award winning author and illustrator Stan Sakai, following the tales of a ronin (masterless samurai), set in feudal Japan. This is the first videogame based on the property in over 25 years and will introduce the epic series to a new generation of fans.

“It’s been far too long since the last Usagi game, and I am so excited to be working with HappyGiant to bring Usagi and his friends back to these new platforms,” said Stan Sakai, “The game turned out great!”

“Happy Giant is thrilled to be working with Stan Sakai and Dark Horse to bring Usagi Yojimbo to the mobile and gaming worlds”, said Michael Levine, CEO of HappyGiant. “This is one of the most treasured properties in the comics world, and we are proud to be adapting it as a game for fans, and for a new generation of fans who will discover it for the first time. This is a real labor of love.”

The title is a “2D side-scrolling hack-and-slash game”, done in the comic’s art style, and in the vein of the old Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Arcade game, to which Usagi is often linked, as the characters have appeared in each other’s comics and TV series over the years. The game features over 60 different enemies, over 13 boss monsters and several of Usagi’s friends who fight along his side as companions.

Usagi Yojimbo #143 Preview

The rabbit ronin learns just how deadly the soy sauce business can be in this new, two-part tale! After stopping a group of vandals from setting fire to a soy sauce brewery, Usagi offers his services to Miyagi, the owner. However, a rival brewer is determined to put Miyagi out of business, and now Usagi finds himself up against a gang of hired thugs!

* First issue of a new, two-part storyline!

* 24 pages, no ads!

Dark Horse Comics, Usagi Yojimbo #143 by Stan Sakai will be in stores Wednesday, January 25th. 

Preview Pages in Usagi Yojimbo #143

Usagi Yojimbo #142

The rabbit ronin becomes an unsuspecting participant as two lords engage in a dangerous, high-stakes gamble. With a state visit from Lord Hikiji nearing, the lords engage in a game of death and honor in which the whole countryside is the playing field.

What a time for Usagi to be in the area . . .

* A tale involving Lord Hikiji, the murderer of Usagi's master!

Usagi Yojimbo #142 from Dark Horse Comics will be out in stores this Wednesday, November 16th. Usagi Yojimbo's creator, Stan Sakai just celebrated a milestone with the 200th issue just being released.

Preview Pages from Usagi Yojimbo #142

Stan Sakai is Honored with Year of the Rabbit Exhibit Plus the 200th Issue of Usagi Yojimbo is Here!

Earlier this year, Usagi Yojimbo creator Stan Sakai was named the 2011 Cultural Ambassador by the Japanese American National Museum. Shortly thereafter, the JANM opened their Year of the Rabbit exhibit—the most comprehensive collection of Sakai’s work to date.

Stan Sakai has won several Eisner Awards and has received over twenty Eisner Award nominations. Prior to Dark Horse’s long run on the series, there were thirty-eight Fantagraphics issues, sixteen Mirage issues, a summer special, and four color specials. Dark Horse’s Usagi Yojimbo #141 marks the landmark two hundredth overall issue of master storyteller Stan Sakai’s beloved series, and the rabbit ronin celebrates with a special story perfect for new readers, “200 Buddhas”! With a ruthless gang terrorizing his small town, a humble stonecutter receives a vision and sets out to carve two hundred stone figures. Just as he has finished the 199th, a long-eared stranger comes to his door seeking shelter from the rain!

The Japanese American National Museum is the largest museum in the United States dedicated to sharing the experience of Americans of Japanese ancestry. The founding of the museum is a story of high hopes, remarkable achievements, frustration, and, ultimately, success. The JANM is located in Los Angeles, and the Year of the Rabbit exhibit closes its doors October 30, 2011 - http://www.janm.org/exhibits/stansakai/

Usagi Yojimbo's 200th Issue!

Dark Horse's Usagi Yojimbo #141 marks the two hundredth overall issue of master storyteller Stan Sakai's beloved series, and the rabbit ronin celebrates with a special story, "200 Buddhas"!

With a ruthless gang terrorizing his small town, a humble stonecutter receives a vision and sets out to carve two hundred stone figures. Just as he has finished the 199th, a long-eared stranger comes to his door seeking shelter from the rain!

* A special, self-contained story!
* Perfect for new readers!

San Diego Comic Con Dark Horse Comics Signings, Panels Schedule

DARK HORSE ANNOUNCES SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON 2011 SCHEDULE!
SIGNINGS, PANELS, AND GREEN SCREENS, OH MY!

July 13, MILWAUKIE, OR—It’s here! San Diego Comic-Con 2011 is upon us, and Dark Horse Comics is telling you all the goods ahead of time! Plan accordingly!

SIGNINGS
Wednesday, July 20
7:30 p.m.—Preview Night Reveal

Thursday, July 21
11 a.m.— Fábio Moon and Gabriel Bá
11 a.m.—Tara McPherson (The Art of Tara McPherson)
12:30 p.m.—Eric Powell (The Goon)
2 p.m.—Bruce Campbell (My Name Is Bruce) *Ticketed by Lottery
3 p.m.—Morgan Spurlock (Supersized)
3:30 p.m.—Jerry Robinson (Jet Scott)
4:30 p.m.—Jill Thompson (Beasts of Burden)

Friday, July 22
10 a.m.—Stan Sakai (Usagi Yojimbo)
10 a.m.—Rebecca Guay (The Last Dragon)
11 a.m.—Menton3 and Patric Reynolds (The Thing)
11:30 a.m.—Dark Horse Presents Signing: Jim Steranko (Red Tide) and Neal Adams (Blood) *Ticketed by Lottery
12 p.m.—Stephan Martiniere and Michael Heisler (Rage)
1 p.m.—Gerard Way (The Umbrella Academy) *Ticketed by Lottery
3:30 p.m.—Star Wars Signing: Mick Harrison (Dark Times); John Jackson Miller and Michael Heisler (Knight Errant); Scott Allie (Jedi: The Dark Side); Rob Chestney (The Old Republic: Threat of Peace); Alexander Freed (The Old Republic: The Lost Suns); Jeremy Barlow (The Clone Wars)
5 p.m.—Falling Skies Signing: Noah Wyle, Moon Bloodgood, Will Patton, Drew Roy, Colin Cunningham, Sarah Carter, Mark Verheiden *Ticketed by Lottery

Stan Sakai's Usagi Yojimbo #138 from Dark Horse Comics

It is hard to believe that Usagi Yojimbo has been existence for over 25 years now. Stan Sakai is the creator of this incredible series and has gained many fans new and old over this time span. Stan Sakai has won many great awards because of this series and they are all well deserved. Dark Horse Comics Usagi Yojimbo #138 will be out in your local comic shops this Wednesday, June 22nd.